Dear John, We at The Sentencing Project deeply mourn the needless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other victims of police violence. We condemn the continued racially-charged police killings that defy our nation’s ideals for safety and equity. For far too long authorities at all stages of the criminal justice system — from initial police encounters to parole board release decisions — have applied a different set of standards based on race. The over-policing, overcharging, and over-incarceration of people of color, especially African Americans, causes great harm to all Americans. We call on national, state, and local leadership to honor the rights of all Americans to safely protest and advocate for change during this unsettling time. We send our sympathy to the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and all individuals constrained by structural racism and prejudice which inhibits their ability to thrive. The Sentencing Project will continue its work on promoting a fair criminal justice system in hopes that the brutal deaths caused by police violence were not in vain. In solidarity,
 Marc Mauer | |
